Weekly ACCC Deal Digest (20 Jan 26)
Your weekly digest of Australian deals lodged with the ACCC up to 20 Jan 2026
Merger Loop
January 20, 2026
This week’s MergerLoop features 4 new major filings across aged care (Opal), clinical research services (Thermo Fisher), luxury beauty (L’Oréal), and cloud security (Google’s proposed Wiz acquisition).
2 deals were approved (WSP–TRC and TPG’s Ethos–EMIS), while 5 transactions remain pending including Ampol–EG Australia and ServiceNow–Veza.
❇️ New Deals
Opal Healthcare – Sunnymeade Park Aged Care Community
Opal HealthCare is acquiring Sunnymeade Park, a 172-bed residential aged care facility in Queensland. This deal expands Opal’s 144-home national portfolio and strengthens its South-East Queensland presence. The acquisition represents strategic regional consolidation within the aged care sector.
Thermo Fisher - Clario Holdings
Thermo Fisher Scientific is acquiring Clario Holdings to enhance its clinical research services. By integrating Clario’s digital endpoint technology and data analytics, Thermo Fisher strengthens its CRO capabilities, offering pharmaceutical clients more sophisticated, regulatory-grade data capture and interpretation for global clinical trials.
L’Oréal – Kering Beauté
L’Oréal is acquiring 100% of Kering Beauté, including the Creed fragrance house and 50-year global licenses for Balenciaga and Bottega Veneta beauty products. This strategic acquisition significantly strengthens L’Oréal’s luxury portfolio, securing a long-term competitive advantage in the high-end global fragrance and skincare markets.
Google - Wiz
Google LLC proposes acquiring 100% of cloud security firm Wiz Inc. This strategic move bolsters Google Cloud’s portfolio by integrating Wiz’s specialised Cloud Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP). The deal enhances Google’s multi-cloud security capabilities and safeguards its generative AI stack, significantly strengthening its competitive position in enterprise services.
✅ Recently Approved
WSP – TRC
WSP’s Australian business (WSP Australia Pty Ltd) is included as part of WSP Global buying 100% of US firm TRC. TRC has no offices or staff in Australia and only supplies a small amount of services here from overseas. The deal strengthens WSP’s engineering and infrastructure capability, mainly expanding its scale in North America.
TPG, via Ethos Bidco, is acquiring EMIS Group and associated healthcare assets from UnitedHealth Group. This transaction targets the software publishing industry, specifically primary care electronic patient record (EPR) systems. It represents a strategic acquisition of critical UK health-tech infrastructure by private equity following UHG's divestment.
❌ Recently Rejected
No rejections published since last edition.
🔁 Pending Deals
CSE Crosscom – Progility
CSE Crosscom, an Australian communications systems integrator, proposes to acquire 100% of Progility, a provider of communications integration and managed services. Both parties supply enterprise and public sector customers with radio networks, push-to-talk solutions and related services.
ServiceNow - Veza
ServiceNow, a US enterprise software provider, proposes to acquire Veza Technologies, a US identity access management software company. The transaction combines workflow automation and IT security software with identity governance products used by enterprise customers.
Danone – further 1% interest in Danone Saputo Dairy Australia Pty Ltd
Danone proposes to increase its ownership in Danone Saputo Dairy Australia to 51% through the acquisition of an additional interest. The joint venture manufactures and wholesales fresh dairy products in Australia under multiple consumer brands.
Coles – supermarket and liquor site in Kalgoorlie, WA
Coles proposes to acquire a leasehold interest in a new neighbourhood shopping centre in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. The site will operate as a large-format supermarket with an attached liquor store.
Ampol – EG Australia
Ampol proposes to acquire the EG Australia fuel and convenience retail network under a share purchase agreement. The transaction involves the transfer of ownership of retail fuel and convenience sites operating across Australia.